The barrier, which can be set up by a specialist machine within hours, is expected to be on standby from December. It will allow local traffic to continue moving on the motorway in contraflow while lorries are queuing to access continental Europe.

Government expects the solution to mark an improvement in comparison to Operation Brock – which required lengthy overnight closures to install a steel barrier – as well as the former Operation Stack. The moveable barrier will be quickly deployed when needed, meaning the M20 can operate at full capacity and with 70mph speed limits during normal traffic conditions.

“After listening to frustrated residents and businesses affected by Operations Brock and Stack, we’ve invested in a new solution to boost Kent’s resilience and keep its vital road network moving, even at times of disruption,” said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

Steel barrier used for Operation Brock was removed from a 25km stretch of the route in January after the risk of Brexit related disruption was considered to have lowered.

Kent County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport Michael Payne said: “We welcomed the removal of the Operation Brock barrier and we are pleased to see that the Department for Transport and Highways England will be using a moveable concrete barrier if it means the move to a contraflow system can be made much quicker.”

Government has now also said that work on an ‘off road’ replacement for Operation Stack, including talk of a large new lorry holding area in Kent, is no longer being pursued.

But Kent County Council would still like to see such a solution go ahead. “Although the DfT is saying there is no need for a large off road lorry park, we will still be pressing for more smaller scale lorry parks with driver facilities,” said Michael Payne.

“Inappropriate lorry parking in Kent is a problem that many towns and rural communities face,” he added. “Surveys have shown that on average there are over 800 lorries parked on Kent’s roads each night.”

Freight Transport Association’s manager for the South East of England Heidi Skinner said the announcement of the moveable barrier “will come as a welcome respite for those concerned about the impact of potential delays on the UK’s supply chain from the Continent, as well as on businesses and residents in Kent”.

“However, there is more to be done to ensure that the new system will work in the best way possible and manage the congestion any form of cross Channel disruption can cause.”

(Photograph: Highways England)